Device for tearing wrapping-paper from continuous rolled sheets



(No Model.) I

A. W. JEROME.

DEVICE FOR TEARING WRAPPING PAPER FROM CONTINUOUS ROLLED SHEETS.

No. 248,323. Patented Oct. 18.1881.

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.NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALONZO W. JEROME, OF PAXTON, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR TEARING WRAPPING-PAPER FROM CONTINUOUS ROLLED SHEE TS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 248,323, dated October 18, 1881.

Application filed March 14, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALONZO W. JEROME, residing at Paxton, in the county of Ford and State of Illinois, and a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Tearing Wrapping- Paper from Continuous Rolled Sheets,of which the following is a full description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which I Figure l is a top or plan view; Fig. 2, an end elevation; Fig. 3, an end elevation, showing the roll of paper mounted in standard, with the rule or straight-edge depending therefrom Figs. st and 5, modifications of the suspending or connecting straps.

The general practice in putting up wrappingpaper for use is in the form of sheets folded usually at the center, and made into packages forming quires and reams. These packages, by reason of the sheets lying flat, are somewhat bulky, occupying more or less space, according to the size or dimensions of the sheets, and causing more or less inconvenience in handling by reason of their bulkiness; and, inasmuch as it is not possible to use the samesized sheet in all cases and for all purposes, in order to meet the requirements in this respect it is necessary to either have several separate packages containing sheets of different dimensions, the sheets of the same package being all of a uniform size, or else tear from a large sheet a piece of the required size, or as near the size as possible. If several different-sized packages are used, piled one on top of the other, they become mixed up in use, necessitating more orless rehandlingand waste oftime inorder to obtain the one required, and if such packages are laid side by side they are liable to be in the way to a greater or less extent, besides occupying a large amount of space and requiring extra handling; and for these reasons the general custom, when a smaller piece is required, is to tear itfrom a large sheet. In use in many instances this tearing process is attended with inconvenience and trouble, for the reason that no ready and convenient means are at hand for doing the work.

To obviate the objections pertaining to bulk and handling and rehandling of sheet wrapping-paper, this class of paper has been made in a continuous sheet in the form of a roll,

(No model.)

having transverse perforations at regular distances, dividing the continuous sheet into sections or strips of uniform dimensions. This method would be perfectly satisfactory if the sheets were not all of the same size; but in this regard this method is also objectionable, for the reason stated in reference to flat sheets, there being no way of readily subdividing the sheet between the perforations to obtain sheets or pieces of a less size, except by tearing in the same manner as flat sheets.

The object of this invention is to enable wrapping-paper to be put up in a continuous sheet in the form of a roll Without any break or division in the sheet by perforations or otherwise to destroy its continuity and entirety, and when so put up allow a subdivision thereof into sheets of any desired size for use to be had by unrolling the precise length of paper required to form such smaller sheet, and tearin g the same from the continuous sheet without any trouble, inconvenience, or delay; and its nature consists in providing a straight-edge or rule formedof a fiat strip of wood or other suitable material, having its front upper side beveled or otherwise formed to prevent a sharp edge or face, against which the paper can be drawn and connected with or suspended from the roll of paper or from a roller carrying the paper, or from a support carrying the paper or roller, so as to be at all times in its place and in proper relation to the roll of paper for tearing the unrolled strip from the sheet.

In the drawings, A represents the straightedge or rule; B, the connecting-straps or hangers; O, the journals or trunnions; D, the roller carrying the paper; E, the roll of paper.

The straight-edge or rule A may be made of a strip of wood or other suitable material, and has, as shown, its front side or face beveled, so as to present a sharp edge or face at its bottom, but this edge or face may be formed in some other suitable manner. Its length is such as to extend transversely across and have its ends project slightly beyond the edge of the sheet to insure the best results in tearing, although the device will work in a satisfactory manner if the ends of the straight-edge or rule come flush or even, or nearly so, with the edges of the paper, and its Width is such as to present a bearing-surface for pressing down on the paper and holding it snugly and firmly,

so that while the act of tearing is being per formed there will be no liability or danger of the paper slipping from beneath it. This straight-edge or rule should be sufliciently rigid, so as not to bend easilyin use, and when made of wood its front edge, against which the paper is drawn, may be supported and strengthened by a strip of metal for the purpose of keeping the edge sharp and prevent ing it from being indented or splintered in use, which metal strip may be secured to the under face of the straightedge or rule by rivets or otherwise,so as to project properly and protect the edge or form the edge proper. At each end of this straight-edge or rule, in the form of construction and arrangement shown, is pivotally attached the lower end of a strap or hanger, B, which straps have a backward and upward inclination at the same angle; and the body of each strap or hanger is provided with a longitudinal slot to receive the journals or trunnions C of the roller D.

The roller D may be made of wood or other material on which a continuous sheet of paper can be wound to form a roll, E. Each end of this roller is provided with a journal or trunnion, 0, formed, as shown, by a screw which passes through the slot of the adjacent strap or hanger B, and enters the end of the roller, was to connect the straight-edge or rule with the rollerand have it always at hand and ready for use.

The slotted straps or hangers shown, for connecting the straight-edge or rule with the rollers, are specially intended for use where the roll of paper rests directly on the counter or other place where the wrapping is being done, and are so made for the purpose of allowing the roll, which as the paper is unwound therefrom gradually decreases in size, to rest continuously on the counter or other place without hearing down on the straps or hangers as it decreases in size, the journals as the roll decreases in size sliding down in the slots for the purpose of making this adjustment. This result can also be obtained by the pivotal connection of the straps with the straight-edge or rule, in which case the slots can be omitted and the straps or hangers be provided with a suitable opening to receive the journals or trunnions, the straps or hangers in such case turning on the rule-pivot, and their upper ends falling with the roller.

Instead of allowing the roll of paper to rest on the counter or wrapping-place, such roll can be supported in uprights, standards, or other support secured to the counter or wrappingplace, the standards or uprights being located at a sulficient distance apart for the roll to be dropped in between them, and having their upper ends slotted or otherwise formed to receive the journals or trunnions 0. When so supported the straight-edge or rule can be connected with or suspended from either the standards or the journals of the roller. When con nected with or suspended from the standards the connecting straps or hangers are to be pivoted at their upper ends to the standards or other support, either permanently or removably, and when connected with or suspended from the journals or trunnions the upper ends of the straps or hangers are to be so formed as to be readily slipped onto thejonrnals or trunnions, and the hangers need not be slotted, and may be of any form or shape suitable for the purpose.

In use the end ofthe paper is unwound from the roll and passed under the straight-edge or rule until the length of paper for the required size of small sheet is reached, when by pressing down on the straight-edge or rule and holding it firmly against the paper beneath it the piece unwound and in front of the straightedge or rule can be torn off by drawing the paper against the sharp front edge. By this arrangement any desired sized sheet of paper can be readily and easily torn off. The means for doing the work is always at hand and ready for use, and the work can be done without any waste of time and without any inconvenience or delay, as all that is necessary to be done is to draw the end of the paper under the straightedge or rule and draw it against the edge thereof.

Screws are not the only form of pivot or journal that can be used. Such pivots or journals might be in the form of trunnions driven into the end of the roll, or in the form ofa plate with a center stud thereon, the plate being secured to the end of the roller by screws or otherwise; or they might be in the form of a rod passing longitudinally through the rollerorrollof paper.

It is not the intention to wind the paper on a roller, although this might be done at the factory. One roller is intended for usewith a number of rolls of paper by being inserted in the opening of such roll. This roller need not extendentirelythroughthepaper. Shortpieoes. to enter the rollopening at the end and secured rigidly or otherwise to the ends of the side straps can be used, such pieces being of a diameter to correspond with the opening in the roll, or of a less diameter. This form of construction is shown in Fig. 4, in which each upper trunnion or pivot is rigid on the side strap, and is designed to receive a piece to enter the end of the roll-opening, or to enter such openin g itself. In Fig. 5 a form of side strap made of a single piece of wire or other material is shown, the wire or other material being 'bent at its upper end to form a pivot or trunnion, and having at its lower end a loop or opening for the pivot or attaching device of the rule or straight-edge. These straps might also be so formed as to have a slight spring for the purpose of keeping their upper connection in engagement with the roll of paper when connected directly therewith.

Fig.3shows aroll of paper mountedinstandards, and the rule or straight-edge suspended from the upper end of the standards by the straps. This construction will be found desira ble when the roll of paper is large and heavy.

\Vhen the paper of a roll is all worked up the straight-edge or rule, with its connecting or suspending devices are to be applied to another roll and used in the manner described, one rule and its devices being designed for use with a number of rolls of papers, it not being the intention to provide each roll with a separate tearing device, although this could be done, if desired.

When connected directly with the roll of paper the upper ends of the side or suspending straps may be provided with a broad circular disk or plate to form bearings for the ends of the paper, and these disks may have center studs or projections to enter the roll-openin g and make the attachment; but the device can be used with the form of construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the pivots at the end of the 1. The combinatiomwith a jonrnaled roll for wrapping-papenof the sustaining straps or hangers B B and the transverse straight-edge A, arranged to rest directly on the paper when in use, and having its ends pivoted to-the lower portions of the straps orhangers, substantially as and forithe purposes described.

2. The combination, with a rollfor wrappin gpaper, of the standards, in the upper ends of which the roll of paper is journaled, the sustaining straps or hangers B B, pivoted to said standards, and the straight-edge A.having its ends pivoted to the lower portions of the straps or hangers, substantially as and for the purposes described.

ALONZO W. JEROME.

Witnesses:

O. W. BOND, ALBERT H. ADAMS. 

